PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the State government is firm on restarting mining activities by auctioning of mines and that required steps have been taken in this regard.
“We are going for auction of mines. Government is firm on this. We are going ahead. The rules have been sent to the law department and steps which are required to be taken have been taken,” Sawant told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Last month, the Chief Minister had announced that six to eight mining blocks in the State would be auctioned before December 15. The auction process would be carried out through the newly formed the Goa Mining Development Corporation.
House-building loans
The State government has now empanelled five banks for giving house building loans to its employees at two per cent rate of interest.
Informing this to media persons, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday reiterated that the government has now streamlined and reintroduced the House Building Loan Scheme.
Of the 6.5 per cent rate of interest finalised, two per cent rate of interest will have to be paid by the borrower i.e government servants and 4.5 per cent interest will be borne by the government, he said adding that the government has now reintroduced a new and revised House Building Loan Scheme through the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for its employees.
Pilgrimage scheme amended
The cabinet amended the Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Yatra Yojana (Pilgrimage scheme) for residents of Goa visiting holy places across the country.
As per the amendment the age limit has been reduced from 60 years to 50 years and one attendant will now be allowed to accompany the applicant.
This scheme will be implemented in association with the Indian Railways and the Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC).
Disha Foundation appointed
The cabinet approved a proposal to appoint Disha Foundation on nomination basis for implementation of various Centrally-sponsored schemes under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
The cabinet decided to adopt the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) rates for production of videos and award work to empanelled agencies.
Installments to Fr Agnel Ashram approved
The cabinet also granted ex-post facto approval for four installments of Rs 20 lakh each and sanctioned the fifth installment in the same amount for setting up of technology business incubators at the Agnel Ashram, Verna.
Contract of ESG staff extended
The cabinet extended the contractual appointment of 31 staff of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) for a period of five years through the internal job postings.
